Forget The Dish Soap: All The Ways White Vinegar Is The Best Cleaning Agent

Published on December 6, 2022
While you might have white vinegar on hand for your poached eggs, there are so many ways you could be using it around your home! White vinegar is an incredible cleaning agent that’s safe, natural, and affordable. Here are all the ways you can incorporate white vinegar into your cleaning routine.

Deep Clean Shower Head

Shower heads become bacteria and dirt magnets fairly quickly, and most of us tend to overlook cleaning it at all. To make your shower head look shiny and brand new, place some white vinegar in a shower cap and secure it around the shower head with a rubber band. Let it sit overnight and then remove it, wiping down the moisture with a clean cloth. Good as new!

Deep Clean Shower Head

Deep Clean Shower Head

Disinfect Fruits & Veggies

Before you eat your fresh fruits and vegetables, it’s important to properly clean and disinfect from pesticide residue and dirt in order to stay safe. Mix three parts water to one part vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray onto the produce. Give them a good rinse after your spray, and then enjoy!

ADVERTISEMENT
Disinfect Fruits & Veggies

Disinfect Fruits & Veggies

ADVERTISEMENT

Erase Iron Scorch Marks

There’s nothing more frustrating than turning up the iron too high and scorching your clothes. Fortunately, you can remedy light scorch marks by rubbing white vinegar on the affected area, and then wiping the spot with a clean cloth. Watch the stain disappear!

ADVERTISEMENT
Erase Iron Scorch Marks

Erase Iron Scorch Marks

ADVERTISEMENT

Shine Faucets & Fixtures

If your faucet is looking like it’s seen better days, there’s no need to replace it. Soak a paper towel or microfiber cloth in white vinegar and secure it on top of the faucet (or fixture!), leaving it on for 15 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, remove the cloth and wipe away any residue.

ADVERTISEMENT
Shine Faucets & Fixtures

Shine Faucets & Fixtures

ADVERTISEMENT

Loosen Up Rusty Screws

Rusted screws are the absolute worst to deal with, since they seem like they will never budge from their spot. It may not be a lost cause though, so it’s worth trying to salvage the situation by pouring white vinegar onto the screw to held loosen it out of its stubborn place.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loosen Up Rusty Screws

Loosen Up Rusty Screws

ADVERTISEMENT

Disinfect The Microwave

Most of us almost never think to clean the microwave, or at least not deep cleaning it. However, it’s really important to make sure it’s disinfected. A super simple and effective method is to place a bowl filled with half water and half vinegar and microwaving it for 5 minutes. This will make any caked on grime much easier to wipe clean.

ADVERTISEMENT
Disinfect The Microwave

Disinfect The Microwave

ADVERTISEMENT

Deodorize The Fridge

We’ve all been there: you open the fridge and you get hit with a wave of unpleasant odor. Nothing is less appetizing than that, so a great fix is to wipe down and clean your fridge with  a solution made up of equal parts white vinegar and water.

ADVERTISEMENT
Deodorize The Fridge

Deodorize The Fridge

ADVERTISEMENT

Deep Clean Tupperware

Another important item that should be thoroughly cleaned is the Tupperware that you use to store food in. Do you hate seeing your plastic containers discolored? Clean these storage containers with white vinegar and you won’t have to worry at all anymore whether your Tupperware is clean enough.

ADVERTISEMENT
Deep Clean Tupperware

Deep Clean Tupperware

ADVERTISEMENT

Treat Carpet Stains

Carpets are a wonderful addition to any home, but there’s no doubt about the fact that keeping them stain free is quite difficult to do. When you do find a stain, you can create a solution by combining two tablespoons of white vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda and then rub it into the stain. Let it dry completely and then vacuum it away, leaving your carpet looking fresh and new.

ADVERTISEMENT
Treat Carpet Stains

Treat Carpet Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Revive Paint Brushes

In order to keep your paint brushes in good condition and sustain them for a long period of time, it’s important to properly clean them. If you notice that your paint brush has caked on paint remnants (or anything else), try soaking it in white vinegar for about an hour. Then put the paint brush (bristles down) into a pot of water and bring it to a simmer. Then drain, rinse, and allow the brush to dry — good as new!

ADVERTISEMENT
Revive Paint Brushes

Revive Paint Brushes

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Static Cling

You might be sick and tired of static lint clinging onto your clothes. Don’t fret, and definitely don’t waste your time picking these off one by one any longer. Simply add a half a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid in the white vinegar will reduce the static.

ADVERTISEMENT
Remove Static Cling

Remove Static Cling

ADVERTISEMENT

Refresh The Toilet Bowl

Nothing is quite unappealing to the eye as the ghastly toilet bowl residue. You can wipe away the nasty stains using white vinegar. You can also help prevent the residue by placing some white vinegar directly into the toilet tank, which will clean the toilet bowl with each flush.

ADVERTISEMENT
Refresh The Toilet Bowl

Refresh The Toilet Bowl

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Coffee Rings

If you forgot to use a coaster and now your coffee table seems ruined by coffee ring stains, fret not! Try mixing equal parts of white vinegar with beeswax (or you can use melted candle wax too) and rubbing out the stain. That should do the trick.

ADVERTISEMENT
Remove Coffee Rings

Remove Coffee Rings

ADVERTISEMENT

No More Musty Laundry

It’s extraordinarily frustrating to wash your clothes only to take them out of the machine smelling musty. There is a simple fix to this problem, and it involves adding in a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine directly. This will keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean.

ADVERTISEMENT
No More Musty Laundry

No More Musty Laundry

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Washing Machine

In order to keep your washing machine maintained and working at max efficiency, it’s important to clean it regularly. You can do this by pouring a cup of white vinegar into the drum and then running it on the hottest cycle. Once done, leave the door open to let the machine air out.

ADVERTISEMENT
Clean Washing Machine

Clean Washing Machine

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Clay Marks

Kids and adults love playing with and creating crafts with clay. However, clay stains are bound to get on surfaces, but you don’t need to panic. Let the stain completely dry and then try to scrape it off. If there’s anything left behind, you can mix a solution of one cup white vinegar and 3 tablespoons of iodized salt and then rub the stain with it.

ADVERTISEMENT
Clean Clay Marks

Clean Clay Marks

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Sweat Stains

Nothing ruins a shirt quite like those nasty sweat stains. You can rid your favorite top of these by spraying the affected spot with white vinegar and leaving it on for 30 minutes before washing it regularly. This works best with fabrics that are synthetic like acrylic, viscose, and acetate.

ADVERTISEMENT
Remove Sweat Stains

Remove Sweat Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Disinfect Dishwasher

It’s important to clean your dishwasher in order to make sure your dishwasher can effectively clean your dishes. Fill up a small bowl with white vinegar and put it on the bottom of your dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on the empty cycle, and you’re all set.

ADVERTISEMENT
Disinfect Dishwasher

Disinfect Dishwasher

ADVERTISEMENT

Streak-Free Windows

For a fantastic window cleaning solution, create a mixture of white vinegar with equal parts warm water and then add a squirt of liquid detergent. For streak-free clean, make sure to clean the windows with newspaper, it really works! You can use the same solution to polish your glassware.

ADVERTISEMENT
Streak Free Windows

Streak Free Windows

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Deodorant Stains

Deodorant is meant to keep you fresh and odor-free, but what about those annoying stains that they leave on clothes? Soak the affected ares in white vinegar and then scrub the spot with an old toothbrush. Then wash the garment as you normally would.

ADVERTISEMENT
Clean Deodorant Stains

Clean Deodorant Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Unclog Drains

To unclog drains or garbage disposals, pour a pot of boiling water down the sinkhole. Then add half a cup of baking soda and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then pour one cup of boiling water with one cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug and let it rest for 15 minutes. Rinse for one last time with boiling water, and it should be unclogged.

ADVERTISEMENT
Unclog Drains

Unclog Drains

ADVERTISEMENT

Revive Drooping Flowers

A lovely bouquet of flowers is a great way to liven up any living space. However, when these flowers tend to droop, people are quick to toss them out. When you start noticing them looking sad, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one tablespoon of sugar to perk them back up.

ADVERTISEMENT
Revive Drooping Flowers

Revive Drooping Flowers

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean The Coffeemaker

Keep your coffeemaker clean and ensure that your coffee isn’t tainted with nasty germs by mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar in the coffee pot, then switching on the brew cycle. Halfway through the cycle, turn it off to let it soak, and then continue until the end of the cycle. Repeat the process with water to clear everything out.

ADVERTISEMENT
Clean The Coffeemaker

Clean The Coffeemaker

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Leather Handbags & Shoes

Keep your leather goods like handbags and shoes in tip top shape by using white vinegar to clean them. Dampen a microfiber cloth with white vinegar and gently rub any scuff marks to reduce the look and restore the leather’s original shine.

ADVERTISEMENT
Clean Leather Handbags & Shoes

Clean Leather Handbags & Shoes

ADVERTISEMENT

Kill Weeds

If you have weeds creeping their way into your driveway and sidewalks, you know just how stubborn and frustrating they are to deal with. You can kill them easily and naturally by pouring white vinegar directly onto them and letting it soak into their roots. Repeat as necessary.

ADVERTISEMENT
Kill Weeds

Kill Weeds

ADVERTISEMENT

Disinfect Moldy Walls

If you’ve ever found mold in your home, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with. Disinfect it by spraying white vinegar directly on it and leave it to soak for 30 minutes. Then scrub it off with a brush and let it dry thoroughly.

ADVERTISEMENT
Disinfect Moldy Walls

Disinfect Moldy Walls

ADVERTISEMENT

Prevent Mold Growth On Cheese

Some people’s stance on cheese is “the stinkier the better,” but that doesn’t mean we want to have mold growing on our cheese. A great way to prevent this is by dampening a cheese cloth with vinegar and wrapping the cheese in it before putting it in the fridge.

ADVERTISEMENT
Prevent Mold Growth On Cheese

Prevent Mold Growth On Cheese

ADVERTISEMENT

Fabric Freshener

If you find that certain smells (like stale cigarette smoke) are sticking to your clothes, carpets, or curtains, then you can use white vinegar natural fabric freshener to deodorize your upholstery and fabrics. Simply spray it on and let it work its magic. You can also freshen up your sneakers with it.

ADVERTISEMENT
Fabric Freshener

Fabric Freshener

ADVERTISEMENT

Restore Shower Curtains

Restore gross shower curtains by cleaning with white vinegar to easily wipe away any grime. Keep a spray bottle on hand to clean your curtain regularly to prevent it from getting really bad. You can do the same with the side of your bathtub and shower once you’re done washing yourself.

ADVERTISEMENT
Restore Shower Curtains

Restore Shower Curtains

ADVERTISEMENT

Prevent Frost On Windshields

There’s nothing more annoying than having to scrape away frost from your windshield in the morning before heading out to the rest of your day. Prevent the frost altogether by spraying down your windshield with a solution made of three parts vinegar and one part water.

ADVERTISEMENT
Prevent Frost On Windshields

Prevent Frost On Windshields

ADVERTISEMENT

Shine Dog’s Coat

Maintaining your dog’s coat is an important part of grooming your beloved furry friend. Keep the coat shiny and glossy by spraying on a bit of white vinegar after bathing your dog. The vinegar will help prevent bacteria, unwanted smells, as well as ticks and fleas.

ADVERTISEMENT
Shine Dog's Coat

Shine Dog’s Coat

ADVERTISEMENT

Deodorize Kitty Litter

Kitty litters are a wonderful invention, but do you find that you can smell it even when it is empty? If this is the vase, pour in white vinegar until it reaches an inch in height and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then wash it out and rinse thoroughly with cold water.

ADVERTISEMENT
Deodorize Kitty Litter

Deodorize Kitty Litter

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Gum

If you’ve ever gotten gum stuck in your hair, you know how much of a nightmare it can be to get it out. Put away the scissors, you don’t need to cut that chunk out of your hair. Instead, soak the spot in white vinegar to loosen up the gum and then gently remove it from the hair.

ADVERTISEMENT
Remove Gum

Remove Gum

ADVERTISEMENT

Fix Skipping DVD

Do you have a DVD that skips or freezes no matter what? Try to clean it with a microfiber cloth that’s been dampened with white vinegar and wipe the DVD in circular motions with it. Dry thoroughly before trying the DVD again.

ADVERTISEMENT
Fix Skipping DVD

Fix Skipping DVD

ADVERTISEMENT

Relax And Exfoliate

Try adding in half a cup of white vinegar to your bathtub. White vinegar is a natural remedy when it comes to dry or itchy skin, and it will help exfoliate away dead skin, leaving it soft and smooth. If you suffer from dandruff, you can also wash your hair with white vinegar mixed with water.

ADVERTISEMENT
Relax And Exfoliate

Relax And Exfoliate

ADVERTISEMENT

Use Every Last Drop

How annoying is it once you’ve reached the last bit of condiment in the bottle, but you can’t seem to get that last bit out of it? Pour a bit of white vinegar into the bottle, close it tightly, and shake it up to get the last drops out. You can use it as a sauce or salad dressing!

ADVERTISEMENT
Use Every Last Drop

Use Every Last Drop

ADVERTISEMENT

Get Rid Of Sticker Residue

If you’ve ever tried peeling off a sticker off of pretty much anything, you know what it’s like to be left with that annoying sticker residue that seems to be super-glued on. Apply some white vinegar to the residue and let it soak for 15 minutes before removing it with a lint-free cloth.

ADVERTISEMENT
Get Rid Of Sticker Residue

Get Rid Of Sticker Residue

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Crayon

Kids’ artwork is absolutely wonderful…except when it ends up all over your walls! If you’ve found a little drawing left on the wall and you have no idea how to clean it, look no further than white vinegar. Soak and clean toothbrush or soft sponge with vinegar and gently wipe the crayon away.

ADVERTISEMENT
Remove Crayon

Remove Crayon

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Piano Keys

Gently clean piano or keyboard keys without damaging them by mixing half a cup of white vinegar with two cups of water and then lightly dampening a microfiber cloth with the solution. Wring out the cloth ad gently wipe each key. Use another dry cloth to dry all of the key and let the keys completely dry uncovered for at least one full day.

ADVERTISEMENT
Clean Piano Keys

Clean Piano Keys

ADVERTISEMENT

Test Gardening Soil

Gardening is one of the most relaxing hobbies you can try. However, you need to make sure the soil is not too alkaline or acidic. You can easily test this by taking a bit of the soil, placing it in a container and then pouring half a cup of white vinegar into it. If the soil bubbles or fizzes, it is too alkaline. To check for acidity, do the same with half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of water. If the soil fizzes, it is too acidic.

ADVERTISEMENT
Test Gardening Soil

Test Gardening Soil

ADVERTISEMENT